December 30, 2008

"The little that is completed, vanishes from the sight of one who looks forward to what is still to do."

Johan Wolfgang von Goethe18th Century German Writer

There are many quotes about the importance of putting aside failure and looking ahead, this among them. The common theme is move on with some, as this one does, suggesting that is even more important in difficult times.

More important, tougher to do but essential.

We are all entitled to our "woe is me" time but as mountain climber Julie said, the choice is to move on or sit there in the road feeling sorry for yourself until you die.

What happens when an entire organization is "sitting in the road"? Who's job is it to urge everyone on?

December 23, 2008

I am feeling really rushed this morning. Still much to do to close down my business accounting for this year, regular business to do, a football game to go to 100 miles south in San Diego tonight and Christmas is . . .

Looking back I would like to think this current crunch is not my fault, that others have conspired to put me in this "too much to do" box; however, the reality is, I did it to myself. Time has stayed long enough the last few days but I didn't use what there was of it as wisely as I should have.

On the positive side I typically do. Time management is one of my strong suits and in my opinion, a hallmark of a good manager. My approach is to pretend I have less time than I really do getting things done well ahead of the due date.

What about you? How critical is time management to you and what secrets do you have to make the best use of the time you have?

December 22, 2008

Seemingly the entire world is in a funk, wondering if we've at least seen the beginning of the end of bad economic times. Or if worst still lays ahead of us. With that brings a lot of bad attitudes; on occasion myself included.

Nightingale is right. People do gravitate to those who are "up" backing away from those "down".

Can management affect employee attitudes and if so in what ways? Or should they let each individual work through things however is best for them?

December 16, 2008

I respectfully disagree but only in the absoluteness of this quote. If I understand him, Paul is saying that if you clearly see your goal, want it bad enough and work hard to achieve it it will happen.

I wish that were true but there are other intervening factors and at the top of that list is what others do (or do not do.) It is not enough that an individual within a company do as Paul says; for the company to succeed, all must do these things together.

However he has the right idea. These are the attributes an individual must strive to achieve, which are also things individuals within a company must do in concert with each other (an even more difficult task) and making the latter happen is the responsibility of management. If the gears don't mesh, no ticking clock.

December 12, 2008

"It is impossible for anyone to begin to learn what he thinks he already knows."

Epictetus1st Century Greek Philosopher

Critical data is central to effective decision making; without it what you decide may well be wrong. Of course the first decision you must make is concluding you have enough data to make good decisions.

December 08, 2008

Regardless of all the supposed clamor for "change" in this country, when it comes down to it most people do not like to stray far from what they know even when their present circumstance is not good. "It's OK for the other person to change but not me." And as true as that is in our personal lives it is even more so in business.

Successful businesses continually evolve which means their employees must continually learn new things. For many this is traumatic and threatening and they fight the requirement to change along with the business.

Does your company actively seek new methods? What about the employees? How about you?

December 05, 2008

"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."

Johann von Goethe18th Century German Author

This is one part of the importance of being responsible.

von Goethe is telling us that after all is said and done the only measure of success is having accomplished something. Wanting to do so, having reasons for not having succeeded are not enough.

The other part is being willing to acknowledge when failure is our responsibility; an almost impossible task for many.

I've tried to focus discussion regarding my team failures on the reasons rather than the personalities so we could change the circumstances that led to our collective failure. It helped to a point but for many there was a need to deflect all association with failure no matter how obvious their connection.

December 03, 2008

"For all sad words of tongue and pen, The saddest are these, "It might have been."

John Greenleaf Whittier19th Century Quaker Poet

"Might have been" could mean something tried and failed or as I suspect Mr. Greenleaf was suggesting, something never attempted. Something someone wanted but for whatever reason never enough so to go after it.

This applies to our personal and business lives and we can be equally remiss in both when it comes to going after what we want.

December 02, 2008

"Developing the plan is actually laying out the sequence of events that have to occur for you to achieve your goal."

George L. MorriseyAuthor

There it is.

A plan is nothing more than what you need to do to accomplish whatever it is you've defined as your "goals". You have defined goals haven't you?? If you haven't does that mean you don't care where you are headed?

Kind of like walking out the front door one day, no destination in mind. With that the case any direction using any means of transportation will get you there. But if you want to go to a specific location you need a plan.

Does your company have clearly defined and measurable goals? Is there a detailed and specific strategic, tactical and operational plan in place to achieve them?

December 01, 2008

This is one of those quotes that initially strikes me as good but after further reflection I begin to have doubts. The positive part is trust in yourself, set your path then walk it, etc., but what if you're wrong? (Bovee probably wouldn't even tolerate the doubt associated with asking that question.)

Maybe the quote overly simplifies what he really had in mind. Maybe he would tell us to do as Davy Crockett allegedly suggested ("Be sure you're right, then go ahead"), but even that seems difficult to do. There have been many instances in my career where there was no way to "be sure" regarding what I planned to do.

What role does certainty and/or self-confidence play in decision making?